conuly | So Lizziey got two new hamsters.

Hampsters, like many rodent, eat thier babies if they have no other choice. (overcrowding, mostly)

with rabbits, for some reason, this never happens. too much stress for them, and they go all sterile.

RODENTS GAH why am I awake!?

You put a p in hamster as well.

...

I always say it 'hamp-ster'. I think that's why I put a P.

I tink I should go to bed.

THINK.

Holy toenail of Aoskar! *smecks self*

My knowledge of rabbits is limited to what Roald Dahl (http://www.roalddahlfans.com/shortstories/geor.php) and Richard Adams (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0380002930/103-0992582-2015033?v=glance) have told me, but they both claim that rabbits, like other rodentia, do eat their young to prevent overcrowding. Though according to Adams, this is rare, and is most often prevented by simply never giving birth in the first place--in situations of extreme stress such as overcrowding, the does absorb the pups back into their bodies.

Rabbits are lagomorphs, not rodents. Closely related, but not technically rodents. :)

Rabbits aren't rodents. They're lagomorphs.
And they do eat they young mostly responding to lack of privacy.

huh.

Well, I totally forgot the rabbits = not rodents.

shows what I know. *shamed*

I think that hamsters, as a species, are exceptionally vicious. I had two when I was a kid and one ate the other. I wouldn't put it past them to eat their babies. I've heard many instances of it. Too bad hamsters are so evil. They are awfully cute. (Though rats are bettery! Lizziey should keep rats instead.)

I second the rats bit - rats are so amazing. I love my girlies. :)

Slap her for me, would you?

I told her you wouldn't like it. And the other one is STILL in our freezer!

Hamsters, when hand-raised by gentle humans, are not vicious. The only time my hamster ever bit anyone was when

victoriacatlady stuck her finger in his cage through the bars. He may have thought it was food.

Hamsters may or may not eat their young. I have no experience with this. Hamsters do not like to share their cages with other hamsters or any other rodents. I have heard that there is a breed of hamster that is an exception to this rule, but I don't know what kind it is. I have hamster books, if you want them. I'm not planning to get another hamster.

Sometimes dwarf hamsters can be kept together if they were raised together, but even then it's recommended to keep an eye on them.

Syrians (the type which are most commonly sold in pet stores) definitely shouldn't be kept together. They fight a lot. I didn't know that until after I brought my 2 two home. They woke me up at 3am making this horrible screeching sound at each other and fighting like crazy so I had to separate them.

The only time mine ever bit me were when my hands smelled like food. :P

She is aware that even if she plans to give the babies to the pet store, she'll have to deal with them for several days until they get old enough to return, right?

The pet store probably just wants free animals from her.

Hamsters do eat their babies sometimes--a general rule is that if the hamster is an asocial one, it's more likely to eat its babies. If it's socialized well with humans, it's more likely to be a good hamster-parent. Hamsters can be difficult to own, because if you don't devote a fairly sizable chunk of time to socializing them, they can be kind of.. nasty.

Of course, every hamster is an individual, and some need less work than others. I'd still rather have rats. At least they love me and lick me adorably.

Overall, try to convince her to not keep one of the hamsters--I'd give back the female, just in case it's already pregnant!

I may have rambled. (I should just add this as a disclaimer everywhere...)

In a way, it's kind of nice to know that my hamsters weren't vicious freaks of nature. They never ate their babies but the last couple did eventually kill each other off. That bit about human contact softening their innate violence is enlightening, though - I think this was after several generations and years of hamsters and we probably did not give them as much attention as we had the first ones.

We always gave the baby hamsters to the pet store, too. Actually, I think we sold them. I doubt we got much for them, but still.

first off, i specifically ASKED about this breed and whether or not the eat their young. and they can't possibly ALL eat their young. because then how are there new hamsters? (the DO get nursed). and i was told, this particular breed do NOT generally eat their young, UNLESS they have NO food for DAYS. so there!!!!!! Kel woulda been returned otherwise.

You were told by whom? The employee who wanted you to buy them? Fab source, really.

XIGGY! i did not BUY them. i was given them as a gift. after i got them i went to Petland Discounts and ASKED about them. please stop passing judgements on me.